Where the Heart Is

Bendigo Woollen mills have some lovely children's patterns. This beautiful rib design knit jumper, PT 8486 is a pleasure to knit. It uses a 4 ply yarn and a pair of 2.75mm and 3.25 mm needles. It is worked on a tension of 42 stitches and and 38 rows to 10cm over the rib pattern.

The rib pattern is a K2 P2 rib worked over 8 rows and incorporating a left leading twist on one row and a right leaning twist on another row to create the interesting effect.

The pattern works up into a snug stretchy knit with a nice round neck with buttons on one shoulder seam making it easy to pull on over a child's head. the colour I used was Luxury Koala. for a visual break I incorporated 3 cream stripes on the lower back and front.

Ribbing stitches never fail to impress when you want a stretchy fabric and good looks on both sides. They are ideal for scarves and cowls where you see both sides of the work. Reversibility is very desirable and ribbed stitches of all kinds have this feature.

An old fashioned and seldom seen rib pattern these days is one called the Twin Rib Stitch. It is worked in multiples of 6 stitches and is just a 2 row repeat. I like working the different pattern in the second row as it provides a bit of relief from the monotony of all rows the same. It looks a bit like the mistake stitch rib and I think it would work up very nicely in a chunky yarn as well.

Anyway here is the pattern:

Row 1: *K3, P3*Row 2: *K1, P1*

If you'd like really neat edges then just add 2 more stitches. Slip the first stitch purlwise of each row and purl the last stitch to give a nice smooth edge. Ideal for a scarf.

I found this very neat rib stitch which is easy to work and is knitting up beautifully into a scarf for John. The interesting thing is that there are no purl stitches, just knit stitches and slipping stitches purlwise with the yarn in front. You really have to resist the urge to purl!

It's called the Cartridge Belt Rib and is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches.

This little pink neck scarf has a loop and is fully reversible. Just the thing for a granddaughter who is mad keen on anything pink. Worked in garter stitch, seed stitch and something known by a couple of names - the mock rib stitch or the checkmark rib stitch this is a quick knit. If you are wondering how to do the mock rib stitch it is just a 2 row repeat:

For a lovely thick and spongy rib design the old fashioned brioche rib stitch can give a different look for the ribs of many garments. Also used by itself it is great for scarves or cowls as it is a true reversible stitch so both sides of your work look exactly the same. I've used it here on the hem of this vest that I am currently working on. K1B (below) is easy once you get the hang of it. Simply insert the right needle through the centre of the stitch below the next stitch and knit allowing the top stitch to come off the needle.